Sarah Fuller became the first woman to score an extra point for a Power 5 Conference school this past weekend during an outing between Vanderbilt and Tennessee.
Fuller kicked a pair of extra points on the day. The first came with 1:50 to go in the first quarter, earning her a place in history as the first woman to score in a top-level college football game since Kent State’s April Goss in 2015.
She then added a second extra point on Saturday with 7:51 to go in the fourth quarter after Vanderbilt scored its second touchdown on the day.
Shortly after Fuller’s big day, David Hookstead of the Daily Caller wondered whether Tennessee let up on their opponent because she’s a female.
I mean, this can’t be real, right? Look at how loose Tennessee is playing here. Would the Volunteers do this if the kicker was anyone else?
The answer is an obvious no. pic.twitter.com/4Y5Gv8rVEL
— David Hookstead (@dhookstead) December 12, 2020
Responses to his assertion were mixed.
It’s because they don’t want to hurt a girl. I’m sorry but Females should NOT be allowed to play with the guys. I’m sure I will get backlash here. But that’s my opinion on this. Guys is built differently then us Girls. I don’t care how muscular a girl is. Still not as tough as a
— Carpenter29 (@CactusKid29) December 12, 2020
Yeah they really didn’t try to go for it. I know Tennessee and they did not try at all. They LET her make history. Good job but still. If they wanted it to be more historic then they should’ve tried to actually block it. Plus Vandy is getting their ass kicked.
— Natethesnake3 (@NateWines4) December 12, 2020
this was the Indianapolis Colts today. starting to thing you don’t know anything about football and just don’t like women. pic.twitter.com/EwQnp9ML45
— Greg F (@Books_Not_Wooks) December 14, 2020
You’re really bad at describing how sports and politics overlap pic.twitter.com/nGyacib8f0
— NDfan1988 (@NDfan2pac) December 14, 2020
This weekend’s 42-17 defeat marked the second time Fuller suited up for Vanderbilt. She became the first woman to play in a Power Five game two weeks ago when Vanderbilt lost 41-0 to Missouri.
Unfortunately, because Vanderbilt didn’t score in that one, Fuller only kicked off once and never got a chance to attempt a field goal or an extra point.
Vanderbilt didn’t have enough players available to play Georgia the following week on Dec. 5 and the game was postponed to Dec. 19.
Interesting shirt choice by Katya Elise Henry. https://t.co/tPbxpgGkbI
— Game 7 (@game7__) December 14, 2020
“I was here to help. I am part of the Vanderbilt family and I just wanted to help,” Fuller said on Saturday.
The more Fuller plays, the more apparent it will become whether or not her being a female in any way impacts how opposing defenses play her.
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A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
